Clarinet attachment



Patented Dec. 4, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a clarinet and is more more particularly described as a key attachment for an instrument of this kind which makes possible a new fingering of notes to be played by this instrument which is impossible with the arrangement now used, and which makes it possible to finger one note with only one finger which requires the use of two fingers in one instance, and involves the usage of three fingers in other instances. The invention comprises an attachment for one of the keys which is adapted to be engaged by the first finger of the left hand in addition to the key normally engaged by this finger. making it possible to finger this note with only one finger. This is greatly advantageous from the standpoint of technique as it facilitates playing musical passages heretofore considered not only difiicult, but practically impossible.

The principal object of the invention is in the provision of a B-fiatkey attachment engageable with one of the key supporting arms and projecting adjacent one of the holes so that the finger closing it may be extended to engage the projection and depress the arm for operating the B-fiat key when desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment which may be easily applied to existing clarinets and similar instruments without changing the other key operating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clarinet with a key attachment of new and improved construction characterized by simplicity Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 3 illustrating the operation of the keys relating to the attachment;

Figure 5 is a perspective of the attachment apart from the key;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 shows several musical passages, difficult to finger without the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic chart which indicates the old fingering, and also the new fingerholes 9 and I0 is a B-natural hole l2.

of design as Well as case and facility of assembly. I

Other objects of the invention and various advantages and characteristics of the present combined instrument and attachment will be apparent from a consideration of the following description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter described and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 and Figure 2 are elevational views one at an angle to the other, illustrating a clarinet with an attachment in accordance with this invention applied to one of the keys thereof in accordance with this invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial view showing the application of the attachment to a key arm;

ing possible with this attachment.

This invention produces an improved clarinet and particularly improves the fingering and playing technique for certain notes and musical passages. It may be built into a new instrument, and also a specific attachment may be provided, as herein shown and described, which may be applied to clarinets now in use, to give them the same advantages and structure. It is therefore unnecessary to describe the entire construction and operation of a clarinet, which is well known to musicians familiar with this instrument, so that the improved combination and arrangement, and the attachment, will be described as it applies to a Boehm system clarinet.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and to the upper or left hand positions on the instrument, an upper clarinet section 8 is provided with a first finger hole 9, a second finger hole to, and a third finger hole ll. Between Around each of the holes 9 and i0 and II are projecting rims I3, I30, and |3| with surrounding grooves I4, M0, and MI for receiving key rings [5, l6 and i1 respectively. Ring 15 is supported by an arm l8 mounted upon a ferrule section 19 and closes a key 20 attached by an arm 2! to the same ferrule l9 when the ring is seated in its groove.

Around the hole I2 is an angular groove 22 forming an angular rim 23 closed by a pad 24 carried by a key 25 at the end of an arm 26 pivoted on a ferrule 21. Key ring I6 is supported by an arm 28 pivoted on a ferrule bar 29, and key ring I1 is supported by an arm 30 secured to ferrule section 3| rotatable on the bar 29. Ferrules 21 and 3| are connected below arm 28 by cross piece 32 which is engaged by arm 28 when key ring I6 is depressed by the second finger.

With this arrangement, B-flat key 25 is closed each time finger rings l6 and I! are depressed by the left second and third fingers, either sepa-- rately or together. This operation is entirely separate and distinct from the operation of key ring l5 and its key 20.

Instead of closing the key 25 on its hole I2 in the manner described, an attachment block 33, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5 is provided with a slot 34 having an angular inner end 35 to fit more closely over the key arm 26 which is also angular in cross section. Extending inwardly to the slot from one outer side is a set screw. 36 to engage. one angular edge of the arm 26 beyond its widest portion when seated in the slot, thereby holding the block tightly in engagement with the arm. Extending from the side of the block toward the key ring I5 is a bent projection 31 which is positioned near the ring. By extending the first finger of the left hand, it may engage the projection and close the key 25 upon the hole 12 at the same time this finger is de pressing the key ring l5 and without removing the finger from the key ring.

In playing. the regular Boehm system clarinet, B-flat in the second register involves the use of two or three fingers, such as the indicated passages A. and. B in Figure 7. Corresponding fingering for these passages is indicated by a-b on the chart in Figure 8,. in: which the black spots denote the closed holes and the circles the open holes, those above the line indicating the fingering of the first three fingers of the left hand and those below the line the first three fingers of the right hand.

When the octave, or vent key is released, due

to the fact that the. clarinet is built in twelfths,.

the same fingering as in ctb produces low E-fiat as indicated. at. C in Figure. '7.

To produce high F-sharp in the third register tofore unheard of or impossible fingering is therefore made possible. A? better and truer tone. pitch on this note is also produced besides facilitating the fingering. V

The ttachment being easily applied and removed may be easily attached to clarinets now in use and may be incorporated or built in these instruments in the future.

with a slot to fit over the arm and projection from the block extending adjacent one of the finger holes so that the key may be closed by the same finger which closes one of the holes.

2. The combination with a Boehm system clarinet and a B-flat attachment therefor comprising a pair of finger holes, a B-flat hole between them and a key supported by an arm in normally open position for closing it, and the removable attachment having a block with a slot to embrace the arm and an extension therefrom to provide a projection from the arm adjacent one of the finger holes for closing the key with one finger without uncovering the hole to which itis applied.

3. The combination with a Boehm system clarinet having a B-flat key adjacent the left first finger hole, and a removable attachment for the key comprising a slotted block for engaging the B-fiat key supporting arm having a projection adjacent the finger hole so that the key may go operated by the finger when it also covers th ole.

4. An attachment for the B-fiat key arm of a clarinet, which comprises a block with a slot to engage over the arm and means for adjustably connecting it to the arm, and a projection extending from the block to a point near an adjacent finger hole for engagement by the same finger which closes the hole without disengaging the finger therefrom.

5. An attachment for aBoehm system clarinet, having a finger hole and an arm supported key for closing a. hole adjacent the finger hole, comprising a block with a slot to receive the arm therein, a projection extending from the block, and means comprising a screw insertable at the side of the block for engaging the arm and releasably attaching the block to the arm so that the projection. will be adjacent the finger hole for engagement by a finger closing the hole.

6. A B-flat' key attachment for a clarinet comprising a block with a slot having an. angular inner. end to receive. an angular key supporting arm therein, a set screw extending from the outer side. of the block into the slot to engage an arm therein, and a projection extending from the block and bent to extend in a direction. away from. the arm to which it is attached and toward an adjacent key. I

7.. An improved playing system. for a clarinet having the ordinary arrangement of ring. key

closed holes for the first and second fingers of the. left hand and a B-fiat. hole between. the. two holes closed by an. arm supported: key and: normally operated, in combination.v with anattachment adjustably secured. to the angular: arm of the Befiat key and having a. block with a slot for; engaging over the arm, a screw inserted atthe outside of the block for extending. into the. slot and engaging. the angular arm to hold; the block thereon, and the. block having a projectionextending adjacent the key ring of the firstfinger hole, whereby the first finger may be extended from its position closing the hole to; also engage said projection and to close. the B-fiat key at the same time- CLINTON A. RUNYON,;Jii-. 

